For the first time this season, Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels was able to pitch past the seventh inning during Monday's 4-3 win over the Rockies.
Hamels allowed one run on six hits over 7 1/3 innings of work to pick up his fourth win of the season. He also struck out seven batters and walked one during the outing. He lowered his ERA to 3.24 after Monday’s start.
"I had the utmost confidence -- just the way we've been playing -- that we were going to put up some runs," Hamels said, per MLB.com. "I wasn't trying to be too fine, just really trying to challenge them."
After surrendering seven home runs in his first three starts of the season, Hamels has given up one home run in his last six starts. He has now pitched at least seven innings and given up two or fewer runs in three-consecutive starts.
His next expected start is scheduled for Saturday at Washington.